VI Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (Talking Books Library)
(340) 772-2250 Address: 3012 Golden Rock, Christiansted, St. Croix VI 00820 Head Librarian Ms. Letitia Gittens
The Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped also known as the “Talking Books” library is located in Golden Rock on St. Croix. The Library is fully automated on Regional eBook and Audiobook. READS is a cataloging service that is available.
The library provides books on cassette tapes and will be moving to the digital format at the end of 2009. We will retain both formats during the transition phase over a few years. The Library is fully automated on Regional eBook and Audiobook. READS is a cataloging service that is available.
Deborah Toomey, a consultant from the National Library Service for Blind and Physically Handicapped in Washington, D.C. recently visited the Virgin Islands Regional Library on her biennial inspection.
DLAM was lauded for efforts that brought the Regional Library up to standards and for the improvements made to the interior and exterior physical library structure.
The download site is called BARD. Although still officially in its testing stage, it is limited to persons who are already eligible for service. There are 20,000 books on site.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, is a free service available to people of all ages whose low vision, blindness, or physical handicaps make reading a standard printed page difficult. Call 1-888-NLS-READ, 340-772-2250 or visit www.loc.gov/nlsorwww.library.gov.vi.
Through NLS’s national network of cooperating libraries, books, magazines on cassettes and in Braille are mailed directly, at no cost, to any eligible person or United States citizen living abroad who cannot read or use standard print materials because of a visual or physical handicap. Call 1-888-NLS-READ, 340-772-2250 or visit www.loc.gov/nlsorwww.library.gov.vi.
Talking Books enable those who have trouble reading a printed page to stay connected to their communities. Not being able to read can cut out activities that many people love, like following the sports page or using a cookbook. The program loans members a wide selection of recorded books and magazines, Braille books and magazines, and music scores in Braille and large print. Call 1-888-NLS-READ, 340-772-2250 or visit www.loc.gov/nlsorwww.library.gov.vi.